Eighth annual Desna Cup coming to Federal Way

Published 2:17 pm Friday, August 7, 2015

Desna Soccer Club is preparing to host its eighth annual Desna Cup event. The sports and cultural event will feature sports tournaments, music, food and family friendly activities from Aug. 14-16 at Saghalie Park.

In 2007, Desna Soccer Club held an eight-team tournament; the original Desna Cup. Since then it has grown to include a volleyball tournament and its own festival. Attendance has steadily grown over the years as well.

“The purpose is to bring different people together through sports, music and activities,” Veronika Lisitsnya said. “We’re trying to add something new every year.”

Over 4,500 people attended the event last year. More than 300 of the attendees participated in one of the sports tournaments. This year there will be eight soccer teams and 24 volleyball teams at the event.

The event will start with the soccer team drawings and live music at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.

Games for the tournaments will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 and will run through out the day. The volleyball tournament will have its championship game at 7 p.m. the same day, while the soccer tournament will have its championship at 8 p.m.

Food and music will be available all day and from noon-5 p.m., there will be a kids program.

This year the event will expand to a third day as events will be held on Sunday, Aug. 16. Previously. the event has only lasted for two days.

Also new this year will be the car show presented by the Soviet Car Museum. There will also be a be a Soviet Car auction where three cars will be auctioned off.

A lego competition will take place from 11 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Aug. 15. Competitors will build their own unique projects with an interesting story behind it. There will be a prize.

Many have already signed up to volunteer for the event but organizers are still accepting any who are willing to help.

The goal of the event is to “help us build a better city, with no racism, teach people to respect one another, help build strong families, and live a healthy lifestyle.”